“I Remember Joy”: A Return to What Was Always Ours

For much of my life, I didn’t understand the deep inner pull I felt—the overwhelming desire to fix, to help, to make it better for others. I didn’t understand why I could be feeling peaceful one moment, then suddenly sad simply by being near someone else. I didn’t understand why their suffering felt like mine to carry.

But here’s what I did know—even as a very young child:

I knew joy.
I knew freedom.
I knew the beauty and magic of life.
I knew, without anyone telling me, that joy was my birthright.

I didn’t have the words for it then, but I remember the feeling, light, alive, whole. I knew life was rich and full of possibilities and hope. I could feel the pulse of Spirit in everything. And yet somewhere along the way, I got lost.

I started to believe that if others weren’t okay, I couldn’t be okay either. I thought that if I could take on their pain, I could help them feel better. What I didn’t see then was how much that pattern would take from me. I put my own life, dreams, joy, and expansion on hold, over and over, waiting for the people I loved to be okay. Not because they asked me to, mostly because I thought I needed to.

But joy doesn’t wait.
Joy isn’t selfish.
Joy doesn’t abandon anyone; it reminds us of what’s possible.

What I’ve come to know is this:

You don’t have to earn your joy.
You don’t have to shrink your light to match the shadows around you.
Your thriving doesn’t take away from someone else’s healing, it invites it.

There is suffering in this world, yes. But there is also profound beauty, abundance, freedom, and joy. And every single day, we are offered a choice:
Do I let others’ pain dim my light?
Or do I choose to live from the richness I know exists deep inside?

 Coming Home to Yourself Is a Choice

What if we stopped waiting for others to be okay before we allowed ourselves to feel good?
What if we remembered that joy was never lost—it was just buried under years of people-pleasing, self-abandonment, and fear?

We get to return. We get to choose.

And the more we choose joy, the more we become the light others can walk toward—not because we’re fixing them, but because we’re showing them what’s possible.

Reflection Prompt:

Take a moment and ask yourself:

What did joy feel like for me as a child?
Where in my life have I paused my own joy out of loyalty to someone else’s pain?
What’s one thing I can do today that reconnects me with the richness of life I came here to feel?

 Affirmation

“I remember who I am. I remember joy. I choose it now, not just for me, but for the light it brings into the world.”

Monthly Journaling & Reflection at Catalpa Wellness

By popular demand, I’m excited to share that our Journaling & Reflection class is now a monthly offering at Catalpa Wellness.

Each month, we’ll gather to explore a new topic through gentle teaching, reflection, and journaling—adding to our journals as we go. Over time, your journal becomes a meaningful record of your inner growth.

Even if you didn’t attend the first class, you are warmly welcome to join at any time. Journals will be available to purchase, so you can start fresh whenever it feels right.

All classes are held from 6:00–8:00 pm at Catalpa Wellness

Tuesday, February 10: Energy — Are you an observer or an absorber?

Tuesday, March 3: Boundaries

Tuesday, April 7: Emotions

Please note that class size is limited, so early sign-up is encouraged.

I would love to have you join us and continue this journey together. I hope to see you there.

When we change the world changes.